An expanded field will compete in the 2010 USTA Southern Super Seniors Section Championships Dec. 3-5 in Hilton Head Island, S.C.
This is the first year in the championships’ history 70s women will play at the 4.0 level and the men’s 4.0 70s have a 10-team competition.
There are 71 teams entered in 60s (60 years and older) and 40 teams in the 70s (70 years and older) with about 925 players. The 60s teams will battle for the right to represent USTA Southern in the USTA League Super Seniors National Championships in Surprize, Ariz. April 14-17, 2011. There are no national championships for the 70s.
The teams are scheduled to play 422 team matches consisting of 1,266 matches of doubles. Here are the levels that will be played: men’s and women’s 60s, levels 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5, men’s and women’s 70s, levels 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0. Ten levels will be decided in a championship match set for Dec. 5. Four levels will be decided by round-robin competition.
This year’s event will draw the top teams from throughout the section’s nine states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The teams – which represent various clubs, parks, recreational departments and organizations – have finished at the top of their local leagues and advanced through state tournaments.
Matches will be played at four sites: Van Der Meer Shipyard Racquet Club (main site), Palmetto Dunes Racquet Club, Port Royal Racquet Club, Sea Pines Country Club and South Beach Racquet Club.
“Hilton Head Island is a fantastic resort destination and we look forward to a great tournament,” explained Tournament Director Holly Goddard. “The island provides great tennis facilities and hotels within 10 miles of each other, providing extraordinary convenience for our players. Additionally, there is a host of outstanding attractions for everyone to enjoy.”
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the USTA League. Established in 1980, it has grown from 13,000 participants in a few parts of the country in its first year, to over 625,000 players across the nation today, making it the world’s largest recreational tennis program.
The USTA League was established to provide adult recreational tennis players throughout the country with the opportunity to compete against players of similar ability levels. Players participate on teams in a league format, which is administered by the USTA through its 17 sections. The league groups players by using six NTRP levels, ranging from 2.5 (entry) to 5.0 (advanced). USTA League is open to any USTA member 19 years of age or older. It features Adult and Mixed Doubles divisions, as well as a Senior Division (age 50) and a Super Senior Division (age 60 and age 70).
For more information about USTA League program or the USTA as a whole, visit www.usta.com.
Topics: 30th Anniversary, Alabama Arkansas, April 14, Ariz, Hilton Head Island, Kentucky Louisiana, Louisiana Mississippi, National Championships, Pines Country Club, Port Royal, Racquet Club, Resort Destination, Sea Pines, Shipyard, South Beach, Team Competition, Tennis Facilities, Tournament Director, Usta League, Van Der Meer